Fourths to william t



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. P. PATTON.

GAR HEATING APPARATUS.

No. 368,489. Patented Aug. 16, 1887.

(No Modl.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. P. PATTON.

GAR HEATING APPARATUS.

No. 368,489. PatentedAug. 16, 1887.

3 N O ml. mi A D; n... W

UAR HEATING APPARATUS.

Patented Aug. 16, 1887.

AFM/$1 @les e@ v mgm gian D C NTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM I. PATTON, OF HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF THREEFOURTHSTO VILLIAM T.

HILDRUP, SR., VILLIAM T. HILDRUP,

JR., AND J. HERVEY PATTON, ALL OF SAME PLACE, AND SEYMOUR IV. TULLOOK,OF VASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

CAR-HEATING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 368,489, dated August16I 1887.

Application liled April S, 1887.

To all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that l, WILLIAM P. PaTToN, of Harrisburg, in the county ofDauphin and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Oar-Heating Apparatus; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact 'description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it apperta'ins toro make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for heating cars,and more particularly for the warming of passenger-cars with safety, thedevice being also applicable to general heating of houses or apartments.

The primary object of this invention is to afford a safe car-heater andone that will be reliable, practical, and of simple construction, takingup but small space in a ear, and be under perfect control while in use.

A further object is to furnish an apparatus for heating a car withlow-pressure steam or hot water, and provide a means whereby theregulation of heat generation is assured, and the extinguishment of theflame in the boiler in case of accident that either crushes a carendwise or oversets it on either side will be effected.

A further object is to provide a compact apparatus for car-heatingpurposes that will be economical in consumption of materials for heatdevelopment, be perfectly free from dirt, ashes, or sulphurous fumes,and further possess 'capability for self-regulation as regards water andcarbonaceous liquid feeding to a large degree, to prevent an injuriousoverheat in the generator if neglected by the party in charge of theapparatus.

)Vith these objects in view, my invention consists in certain featuresof construction and combinations of parts, that will be hereinafterdescribed, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings making a part of this specification, Figure lis a front elevation of the water-heating device and attachedwater-tank. Fig. 2 is a front elevation in section of the water-heaterand the connected supply-tanks, the connecting-pipe of the water-supplytank being partially shown in per Serial No. 234,156. (No model.)

spective. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a car-floor, 5o showing the positionof the heating apparatus and the manner of connecting it to a water orsteam circulating coil. Fig. 4. is an enlarged sectional view of thebase of the supply-tanks, showing the details of construction of thesafety filling and feeding valves of the oil chamber or tank. Fig. 5 isan enlarged view in section of the gas-generating retort and attachedburners.

A represents an upright cylindrical boiler- 6o shell; c t a, dre., aseries of upright tubes or fines fixed in the flue-sheets c c', theshell A resting upon the base-plate E. Upon the upper end of theboiler-shell A (see Fig. 2) the water-chamber B is placed and properlysecured. This water-chamber has an interior vertical flue, B2, that isconcentric to the shell of the water-chamber B, the flue B2 having aconical bottom, B', extended laterally to be connecteduedge to edge77with the shell B. 70 The flue B2 is made to-project slightly above thecarroof, if the device is to be used as a car-heater. The lower portionof the boiler A forms a :tire or combustion chamber, in which the grateE is placed. Access to this chamber is afforded by the doors O, andbelow the grate by the door O, which is perforated to afford a supply ofair to support combustion. (See Fig. l.)

Below the lower tine-sheets a a retort, D, is So placed (see Fig. 2) andsuitably retained in position. This retort is annular in form andpreferably V-shaped, with a close bonnet, f, (see Fig. 5,) to make aproper gas-generating chamber, for which purpose the retort is in- S5tended. f

An annular tubular ring, D', is connected to the retort D by the pipesp', so that the gas produced in the interior of the retort will descendinto the pipe-ring and circulate in it, a 9o suitable number of thepipes p being provided to hold the ring in place and afford a fnllsupplyof gas thereto. Alternating in position with the pipes p theburner-pillars or hollow columns p are secured inhplacc between theretort D and pipe-ring D. (See Fig. 5 for details of the retort andburner.)

The pillars p have each a plugin their bases where they are attachedA tothe gas-supplying ring D', which is perforated to allow a small jet ofgas under pressure from the retort to escape into the body of the'pillars p. Immediately above these perforated plugs the shells of theburner-pillars are perforated at opposite points in their sides withair-inlets b, which afford a proper supply of atmospheric air to mixwith the jets of gas issuing from the jetholes p3. The portions of thepillars p just below their point of attachment to the retortbase areperforated in their side walls at spaced intervals to permit the volumeof gas and air that is commingled in the pillar-chambers to escape justabove the deflector-flanges p, that are made to project from the bodiesof the pillars at these points.

From the bonnet f of the retort D a series of gaseous-fuelburners,o,aremadeintegral or are secured, theyv having pillars o exactly similar inform to the pillars p below the retort, and have enlarged chambers o2,(see Fig. 5,) secured to the tops of' the pillars o', to receive theinjected gas and air that this gas draws into the pillars through theholes b', made for such airsupply. The chambers o2 are perforated topermit the escape of this gaseous fuel at numerous points on their sidesand tips, which, when ignited, will burn with la blue smokeless flame,as will be further explained.

The material from which gas is produced in the retort D is ay mixture ofany carbonaceous liquid, preferably coal-oil and hot water, these twoliquids being introduced separately into the retort at proper points.rllhe water is supplied through the pipe L and enters the retort att,(see Fig. 2,) the drip of the water into theretort being regulated bythe valve L', it

being preferably of the style known as a needle-valve,77 whichaffordsameans of close graduation of the water-supply that is conductedfrom the base of the water-chamber B downwardly by the connecting-pipeL, as shown. j

The main water-supply tank I is located in the same apartment with thewater-heating apparatus, and in case the heater is used for warming apassenger-cara small room is partitionedoi from t-he interior of the carfor re ception of the heating apparatus, preferably at one end of thesame, as shown in Fig. 3.

The Vertical water-tank I is made of sheet metal, and vis of suchaheight and diameter as to afford a water-'space around the oil-tank C,which is located inside the water-tank and stably secured at the basetothe same bottom.

The annular water-space between the tank C and the wall of thewater-tank I is such that a sufficient supply of water` may beintroduced through the orifice 22, made in the bottom of the tank I andthreaded to receive a watersupply pipe, which may extend to a convenientpoint at the side of the car to receive a supply of water underpressure. A hand force-pump may beemployed to fill the tank; or, in casethere is a water-supply with adequate pressure to introduce water intothe tank, a `direct 'attachment may be-made to a' service-main to effectthe purpose.

Water is conducted to the water-chamber B by the supply-pipe K, that hasan extension, K2, which is made to reach nearly to the base of thewater-tank I and afford a continuous water-conduit from the interior ofthis tank, the water being raised by air-pressure. As the contained airis compressed into a small space when water is introduced through thehole 22 to nearly fill the tank, this air by compression acts upon thesurface of the water in the tank and forces it to flow into 'thewaterreceiving chamber B, when the valve K is opened, by reason of theconnection of the pipe K at K3 to this water-chamber.

The oil or other carbonaceous liquid is introduced into the interiortank, C, through a pipe that is attached by screwthreads to the nipple19, which is clamped in place upon the bottom of the oil-tank near itscenter; `and it should be mentioned that the oil is introduced into thetank G without a discharge of contained atmospheric air from the same,so that an elastic air-cushion is produced that will increase inpressure as the oil is forced into the tank. 1 This provision is similarto that made in regard to the water-tank B, acting in the same manner toafford a proper feed of oil to the retort D. Ordinary pipes andstop-cocks should be fittedto the oil and water inlets 19 22 to allowthese fluids to be introduced into the tanks. These pipes are not shown,as their construction and operation are common and self-evident.

The nipple 19 is provided with a ball-joint surface at its upper end,that is made to fit a true concave surface on the bottom of a nipple,20, whichI is introduced into the bottom of the oil-tank C. A verticalvalve-chamber, J, is formed integral with the bottom of the tank, and avalve, J', provided vwith winged extensions J2 J 3, is given a positionin this chamber such that the wings J2 will loosely fit in thecylindrical passage formed through the nipple 20,- the valve J beingheld off its seat'made on the top surface of this nipple 20 by reason ofthe abutment of the lower terminations of the wings J2 upon the edge ofthe conical head' of the nipple 19, so that while the connection of thisnipple 19 remains intact with the lower joint formed on nipple 20, theclamped attachment of nipple 19 being undisturbed, the valve J. willremain open, and oil may be introduced through a pipe that is attachedto the nipple 19, as before stated.

The upper portion of the Valve-chamber J is made to receiveA a spiralspring, J, which has a bearing on the winged projectionvJ of the valveJ, to cause this valve to instantly close on its seat and thus preventany escape of oil in case the connections of the oil-supply pipe areruptured or torn off at the point of clamped connection. The valve J ispreferably held open to avoid the Aadditional labor of raising itsspring J* when a hand-pump is used to ll the tank C with oil 5 but it iseVident that by shortening the wings J2 the valve J may be made toremain seated, and in such a position act as a check when the operationof filling the tank is in progress.

The feeding of oil to the retort D from the tank C is effected throughthe valve 23,which is constructed and arranged substantially the same asthe valve by which oil is introduced into the t-ank, and an attachmentis made by an open bracket, G", which is secured to the outer surface ofthe water-tank I, at 14. The pipe G2 is connected to the oil-tank C by athreaded nipple, Gt, which joins the passage that leads direct into thistank. rIhe valve 23 is engaged by the spiral spring 15, (see Fig. 4,) toclose it when the means for holding it open are removed. rlhis latteroperation is effected by a winged extension of valve 23 engaging thecone end of the nipple G, to compress the spring 15, when this nipple isheld in engaged position by the nut 13, that is placed on the threadedsurface of the nipple G* and has forcible contact with the bracket G3,which contact holds the pipe G2 in proper position to receive oil fromthe tank C and raise it to the valve G, through which it passes into theneedle-valve II, thence downwardly through the valve H2, that is also aregulating or needle valve, located in the branch pipe H, which is madeto have threaded engagement with the wall of the retort D and enter thesame at a point aboutopposite to the point of insertion of the waterpipeL. (See Figs. 2 and The portions ofthe feed-pipes for oil and water thatenter the retort D are filled for a short distance with tine brass orcopper wire, t, that is cut to a proper length and inserted into thebore of the pipes to till them. These wires, by reason of their beingsmall cylinders, allow slight spaces to intervene between them, throughwhich the oil and water are forced by the airpressure in the tanks I andC when the valves H2 and L are adjusted to permit it. This insertion ofwire assists to graduate the quantity of liquid that enters the retort,and in regard to the oil prevents an improper back-pressure in thefeed-pipe H or undue heating of the oil or other carbon liquid employedin the generation of the gas.

The safety cutoff valve G is intended to close automatically when a caris derailed and thrown on its side, and by cutting off the oilsupply atonce stop the generation of gas, as the oil is an indispensableingredient in the matter of gas generation. It follows, therefore, thatwhen the supply of oil is cut olf the gascous fuel by which combustionis maintained ceases to Vflow into the burners, and all tire isinstantly extinguished.

The body or chamber of the cutoff valve G is globular` where the valveseat m is located. The valve m' is attached by its shank m2 to the yoke3, (see Figs. 1 and 2,) which yoke 3 encompasses the body of thecutoff-valve chamber G as a continuous loop, the lower portion upon itsouter surface being adapted to receive the upper projecting toe, 4, ofthe swinging weight 5, which is supported to rock on points fixed in thedepending arms 6. The engagement of the toe 4, holding the yoke 3 andattached valve m', is such a position that this valve will be raised offof its seat m and permit the free passage of oil through the openingthus afforded.

The spiral spring a, retained in placein the case 1, has bearing contacton the top surface of the valve m, and is somewhat compressed betweenthe cap 2 and this valve when the yoke 3 is raised.

The form of the toc 4 and the engaged surface of the yoke 3 is suchrelatively that the inclination of a car in which the heater is placedto cause it to assume an angle of fortytive degrees or more with thetrack, or to be upset and caused to fall on either of its sides, willswing the weight 5 sufficiently to free the engagement of its toe 4 withthe yoke that holds the valve m open, and in consequence of this thevalve will automatically be closed by the pressure of the spring a, andthe passage of oil be cut off, as has previously been explained.

In order to supply water to the tubular boiler A, when this isnecessary, a branch pipe, S, is made to connect the chamber B and boilerA, and a stop cock, S', is introduced in this boiler branch pipe, toregulate the quantity of water fed or prevent its passage entirely underordinary circumstances. In case of a neglect of the attendantto supplywater when needed, and from its low stage in the boiler the heat appliedraises steam above a pressure that is desirable, I have provided anautomatic waterfeeding device to pass waterinto the boiler by the actionof the steam on a yielding diaphragm. The construction of this device isas follows: The diaphragm-valve Vl is simply two cupped shells joined inthe center and an elastic diaphragm inserted or clamped between theseshells to divide the interior into two compartments. The lower shell isprovided with a branch pipe, w, which is secured by its flange to theshell ofthe boiler A, a perforation being made in the shell at thispoint to afford a passage for water or steam from the interior of theboiler beneath the diaphragm. Upon the upper surface of the diaphragmthe lower end of the valve-rod V is seated, the rod being extendedupwardly to enter the cylindrical chamber U, in which a transversepartition or valve-seat, ai, is l'ormed integral with this chamber.

The valve a, preferably faced with a proper elastic materialsuch asvulcanized rubberis made to seat upon the valve-seat a" and cover theopening made through it, this opening being made to afford a passage forwater from the chamber B through the orice Vinte the chamber U, andthence to the boiler through the pipe S, when thc diaphragm of chamberV2 is raised by pressure below it, the

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chamber U having a branch by which it is attached to the shell of thewater-chamber B, the orifice V being a perforation through this branchpipe. i

In order to afford a means of regulating the supply of oil to the retortD and cut down the free generation of gas when there is too great apressure in the boiler,chiefly due to a want of proper water-supply, theautomatic feed-controller composed of the two valves H F is einployed.

The valve F is simply a spring or pop safety-valve, which has its coiledor spiral spring q made of proper strength to be compressed and permitan upward movement of the valve q' when pressure of steam that entersthe branch 10 is sufficient to overcome the tensional strength of the-spring q. The valve q' has its stem 8 made of such a length as toproject above the top of the case 7, in which the spring q is retained,this stem being pivot-ally connected to the horizontal lever 9, that hasa fulcrum-bearing upon an upright post which is fixed to the top of thecase "7. The lever 9 is extended farther to have a sliding engagementwith the boxed end 11 of the vertical valverod 12, it being of a properlength to seat itself, and so cut off the flow of oil through thepassage s'into the pipe I-I', when the pressure in the boiler is strongenough to raise the valve Q' and vibrate thelever 9. A spring, s, isintroduced between the lower side of the box ll of the valve-rod l2 andthe lever 9, to neutralize any chattering action of the Valve q' when itis suddenly raised by the steam-pressure exerted on it.

To provide a means for permitting the expansion and consequent pressureof water that is introduced cold into the chamber B and heated, a springcheck or safety valve, M, is attached at the top of this chamber B, thespiral spring that holds the valve on its scat being of proper tensionalstrength to resist the ordinary pressure of the air-cushion in theWater-tank I when communication is estab; lished between the chamber Band this tank, but that willyield and allow the valve to open and permita discharge of water when an undue pressure of expanded Water occurs inthe water-chamber,

The water-pipes B2 B3 are extended from the boiler A, which they areconnected with, to join the circulating-coilsNN, (sec Fig. 3,) that arelocated `in proper receptacles below the floor of the car, the latterbeing perforated at suitable points to allow heat-registers to coverthese holes near the feet of seat-occupants.

The coils N N' are so arranged with regard to their connections-to eachother and the boiler A that a free circulation of hot water will proceedfrom the boiler, and the cooled water that has parted with its heat byradiation be returned to the boiler continuously while heat ismaintained in the combustion-chamber of the boiler, and a constantuniform heat under perfect control will be maintained in the carthat isperfectly free from smoke, dirt, or sulphurous fumes incident to the useof stoves.

- The connected operation of the heating ap paratus will now beexplained.

Oil and water having been forced into the tanks I and C to nearly illthem, and thus produce a pressure from the compression of air previouslycontained in them, water is introduced into the chamber B and boiler A,as well as the attached heat-radiatin g coils NN', and a wood or cokefire is placed on the grate E to heat the retort D and start thegeneration of gas in this retort. When the retort is made quite hot,which will occur quickly, owing to its thin walls, the oil-valve I-I2 isopened and oil permitted to drop slowly into the retort. The oil willinstantly become vaporized and, issuing fromthebnrnersinthatform,belighted. Water is now allowed to drip into the retort. This willbe ilashed into superheated steam `by contact with the hot walls of theretort.

The commingling of the carbon vapor and superhot steam will cause adecomposition and recomposition to take place, the oxygen of the steamcombining with the carbon atoms, and in this way the generation ofoxyhydrocarbon gas is accomplished. The volume of gas evolved willincrease by turning on more oil and water, the pressure in the retortthus produced forcing jets to issue into the burnerbodies and burn byadmixture with heated air, the flame being smokeless, blue,and intenselyhot. 'Ihe water is soon made hot and caused to circulate in the mannerbefore stated. The springs of the automatic water and oil controllingdevices that have been described should be of a proper tension to yieldwhen the pressure in the boiler isl as high as is conf sidered advisableto maintain, and these springs Vshould be of the same tensionalstrength, so that the water-valve will be raised by its diaphragm whenthe pop safety-valve opens, and in this way the oil-supply will be cutdown, gas generation nearly cease, and water be introduced at the sametime, which joint action will speedily reduce the pressure in theboiler, when the valves will close and the heater assume a normalcondition.

If it is desired, andthe capacity of the retort D is made sufficient, aservice-pipe for the supply of gas for illumination of the car may beattached to the branch W, made on the pipe-ring D', this pipe beingextended to such points in the car as it is desired to accommodateburners for lighting the interior of the car, and it is evident thatifthe car is so lighted any accident that extinguishes the fire in theboiler in the manner already explained will instantlyand automaticallyputout the lighted burners, so that no fire can result from this sourcein case of a disaster that upsets and mashes the cars of a train. y

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters. Patent, is-

1. In a heating apparatus for cars, the com- IOO IIO

bination, with a water-supply tank that :is connected to supply acar-heater which is located in a car, of an oil-tank located Within thewatertank and provided with automatic valves to prevent an escape of oilwhen the pipeconnections of the oil-tank are broken off from this tank,substantially as set forth.

2.' In a heating apparatus for ears, the conibination, with an uprightboiler located in a ear and provided with a gas generating and consumingdevice that burns the gas as it is produced, of a water-chamber locatedabove the boiler, that is adapted to receive heat from the gas-burnersthat heat the boiler proper and furnish this heated water to the boilerby means of a communicating pipe, and a pipe and valve to furnish agraduated water-feed at proper intervals between the water-chamber andtubular boiler, substantially as set forth.

3. In a heating apparatus for cars, the cornbination, with an uprighttubular or flue boiler placed in a car, a gas-generating retort withburners located below these flues, and a Waterehamber with a centralflue that receives the heat of the burners which are made to heat theboiler, of a self-acting water-feeder that is adapted to open its valvefor the passage of water from the upper chamber to the boiler below itwhen the pressure in the boiler exceeds a predetermined limit,substantially as set forth.

Ll. In a heating apparatus for cars, the combination, with an uprightcylindrical tubular or fiue boiler, a cylindrical water-chamber heatinga single fine, an annular gas-generating retort that is provided withburners to heat it, and a series of burners that receive gas from theretort, of a water-tank and an oiltank placed in the water-tank, andprovided with a valve on the inlet and outlet passages that are adaptedto close and seal these passages when the pipes connected to them arebroken off, substantially as set forth.

5. In a heating apparatus for cars, the com bination, with an uprightboiler placed in a car, a water-heating chamber supported above or onthe boiler, a retort for gas generation lo cated in theeombustion-chamber of the boiler to heat the water in the boiler by gasand air mixed in a series of burners, and a series of burners, of anoilsupply tank and a Watersupply tank, the oil-tank placed in the watertank, a valve to control oil-feed when pressure is too great in theboiler, and a valve that opens to supply water automatically when thepressure exceeds a fixed limit in the boiler to which this valve isconnected, substantially as,

is thrown over upon either side, substantially as set forth.

7. In a ear-heating apparatus, the combination, with an upright tubularboiler, a heatradiating coil attached to the boiler to havewater-circulation through it, a water-gasgenerating retort, one or moreburners placed to heat the retort, and burners attached to the retort toheat the boiler, all the burners being adapted to consume a mixture ofwater-gas and air, of a self-acting water-feeding device, a self-actingoil-cut-oft' valve that closes when a car is upset on either side, awater-tank, an oil-tank located inside of the watertank, pipes toconnect the oil and water tanks to the water-chamber and retort, andinlet and outlet valves on the oil-tank adapted to close and preventescape of oil if the pipe-connec tions to these valves are broken off,substantially as set forth.

S. In a car-heater, the combination, with an upright oil-tank, a Watertank that envelops the oil-tank, and inletpassages to the oil and Watertanks, of a feed-pipe that connects the watertank with theWater-heatingchamber, a valve in this feed-pipc, an oil-pipe that feeds the retort,an automatic valve that isin conneetionwith the oil-inletpassage, and anautomatic valve that closes the oil-outlet passage when a car is crushedin endwise, substantially as set forth.

9. In a car-heater, the combination, with an oil-tank and a Water-tankthat surrounds the oil-tank, both resting on a common base, of anautomatic valve that will close the oilpassage into the oil-tank and anautomatic valve that will close the oil-passage from the oil-tank, boththese valves being adapted to shut when a ear is crushed in endwise, soas to break pipe-connections to these inlet and outlet valves,substantially as set forth.

10. In a car-heater, the combination, with a vertical tubular boiler,aheating-coil, a gasgenerating retortand burners, a spring safetyvalvehaving a fnlcrumed lever, a passage leading from the valve to theboiler, and a spindlevalve that is operated by the fulcrumed lever ofthe spring safety-valve to control the passage of oil through it, of aspring shut-off valve attached to an oil-feed pipe to cut off oil when aear is thrown on either of its sides, an oil-feed pipe,andaWaterjacketed oil-tank, substantially asset forth.

ll. In a car-heater, the combination, with an oil-tank that is locatedin a Watertank, of a springactuated valve, an open bracket, a threadednipple, a nut, and an oil-feed pipe that is connected to thegas-generating retort, so that the bracket will break and release thespring-valve to cutoff escape of oil from the oil-tank and stop gasgeneration in the retort when a car is crushed in endwise, substantiallyas set forth.

l2. In a car-heater, the combination, with a Waterjacketed oil-tank andau oilfeed pipe connected to the tank, of a safety shut-oft' valveadapted to close when a ear is thrown ICO IIO

on either side, an automatic spindle-valve In testimony whereof I havesigned this spee'ithat is operated to restrict or entirely preventcation in the presence of two subscrlbmg wltro the flow of oil into avretort when pressure is messes. v

excessive in the water-heating boiler an up- 5 right tubular boiler, acirculating-coil, and a WILLIAM P' PATTON' gas-generating retort locatedin the combus- Witnessess tion-chamber of the boiler, substantiallyasset S. G. NOTTINGHAM,

forth. G. F. Dovvmlvor.v

